🌀 The Power of Your Sankalpa — & What Even Is That Anyway?

ahearle
May 6
2 min read

In the fast pace of modern life, I’ve come to cherish the quiet guidance of my sankalpa — a steady, soulful sentence that echoes through me, keeps me grounded.

It didn’t arrive in a big, dramatic life moment. There were no fireworks, no sudden transformation. Instead, it’s been something subtler… a phrase that reverbarates within me, especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed or pulled in too many directions.

That, right there, is the quiet power of sankalpa.

So… What Is a Sankalpa?

Sankalpa is a Sanskrit word meaning resolve, intention, or heartfelt desire. In practice, it’s a short, powerful statement we repeat internally during certain moments in yoga — most often, during yoga nidra.

You can think of it a little like a manifestation or affirmation — but one that’s deeply rooted in your inner truth & spiritual life, rather than surface-level goals.

Your sankalpa is like a seed. We plant it gently in the fertile soil of the subconscious, then water it with awareness, rest & presence — especially through the practice of yoga nidra.

Why Yoga Nidra?

Yoga Nidra is a deeply restful practice — sometimes called yogic sleep — where the body relaxes completely while the mind remains gently aware. You’re not left alone with your thoughts or trying to force meditation.

Instead, you’re guided by the practitioners voice through a journey of:

🌀 Gentle body awareness

🌀 Breathwork

🌀 Visualisation

🌀 Deep relaxation

It’s a nourishing reset. And during this spacious stillness, your mind is incredibly receptive. It’s the perfect time to introduce your sankalpa.

I’ve seen people come into a session tense, frazzled, emotionally raw — and leave with a whole different energy. Softer. Lighter. More in tune with themselves. It’s honestly magical.

(And yes — I’ve even coined the term yogasm for that post-nidra glow 🧡)

Choosing Your Sankalpa

Your sankalpa is personal to your inner world. It might reflect a quality you want to embody, a healing you’re moving toward, or a truth you’re ready to live by.

Some examples I’ve heard from my events include:

✨ “I am calm.”

✨ “I am fertile.”

✨ “I am in comfort with myself & my body.”

If you're not sure where to begin, I often offer this to first-timers:

“I am guided by a deep inner wisdom.”

Start there. See what lands.